MILF's Bravo denies hand in ambush which killed soldier

Commander Bravo of the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — A commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) army denied having a hand in an ambush on a military convoy that killed one soldier and wounded several others on Tuesday noon (February 23) in Balindong, Lanao del Sur.

Abdurahman Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) said his group had nothing to do with the attack in Barangay Bualan located a few miles from MILF's Camp Pokta.

Residents — some of whom needed to be temporarily evacuated during the firefight — recounted that a small group of unidentified masked men ambushed a three army trucks while the soldiers were escorting a heavy equipment carrier.

Balindong town mayor, Raisalam Bagul Mangondato, confirmed that the assailants were not from the MILF but were lawless elements.

Residents returned to their homes when the fighting had stopped.

Meanwhile, Bravo also said his troops were not involved in a firefight raging in another town, Butig, which erupted over the weekend.